Lemons and limes market in ASEAN

Earlier Report Observations

The ASEAN lemons and limes market volume grew from 199 thousand tons in 2018 to 226 thousand tons in 2020, driven largely by a rise in imports which increased by 46% over the period. Early regional production was bolstered by a sharp 120% expansion of harvested area and higher yields in Malaysia during 2018. However, overall output dipped to 178 thousand tons by 2020.

Production recovered after 2020, reaching a peak of 197.6 thousand tons in 2022. This increase was supported by strong consecutive output growth in the Philippines, where production rose by 6.9% in 2022, partly countering a simultaneous 42.3% production drop in Malaysia due to reduced harvested area. By 2023, a global 1.2% decline in production coincided with a slight stabilization of ASEAN output at 197 thousand tons, while the total market volume expanded to 235 thousand tons, aided by stronger import flows.

In 2024, imports into the region rose further to 93.6 thousand tons and exports increased to 72.8 thousand tons, reflecting continued active trade. This occurred against a backdrop of a continued production decline in Malaysia and a 6.5% contraction in the global market value.

Production lemons and limes in ASEAN

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of lemons and limes, 2017-2020

World map of production of lemons and limes, 2017-2020

ASEAN's production of lemons and limes declined after two years of growth. In 2019, output reached its peak at 184.6 thousand tonnes, but by 2020 it had fallen to 178.1 thousand tonnes, representing a 3.5% decrease. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.6%. The most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 7.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in ASEAN in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

ASEAN's production value of lemons and limes declined after two consecutive years of increase. In 2019, the value peaked at 216.6 million US dollars, but in 2020 it dropped to 214.6 million US dollars, a decrease of 0.9%. From 2017 to 2020, the production value grew by 12.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.9%. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2018, when the value rose by 12.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in ASEAN in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports lemons and limes from ASEAN

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, ASEAN exported 40 030 tonnes of lemons and limes, marking a 30.6% increase compared to the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 43 811 tonnes, while the lowest was in 2019 at 30 641 tonnes, representing a 30.1% decline from 2018. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 4.9%, with an average annual decline of 1.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from ASEAN in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, and China were the primary destinations for ASEAN's lemons and limes exports by volume. The UAE accounted for 35.4% of exports, the Netherlands for 20.4%, and China for 12.1%. Together, these three countries represented 68.0% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from ASEAN in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

ASEAN's export value of lemons and limes reached 48.2 million US dollars in 2020, showing a significant increase of 34.1% compared to 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 51.3 million US dollars, while the lowest was in 2019 at 35.9 million US dollars, which represented a 30.0% decrease from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from ASEAN in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, and China remained the key markets for ASEAN's lemons and limes exports by value. The UAE accounted for 37.6% of export value, the Netherlands for 21.7%, and China for 12.1%. Collectively, these three destinations made up 71.4% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from ASEAN in value, 2017-2020

Imports lemons and limes to ASEAN

Imports in kind, t

ASEAN's imports of lemons and limes increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 87 502 tonnes, which was 11.6% higher than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 69.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 19.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to ASEAN in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, China, South Africa, and Turkey were the main sources of ASEAN's lemons and limes imports by volume. China accounted for 40.7% of imports, South Africa for 20.4%, and Turkey for 6.8%. Together, these three countries supplied 68.0% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to ASEAN in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

ASEAN's import value of lemons and limes rose for the third year in a row in 2020, reaching approximately 118.8 million US dollars, which was 13.1% higher than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 59.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 16.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to ASEAN in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources of ASEAN's lemons and limes imports by value were China, South Africa, and Australia. China accounted for 41.2% of import value, South Africa for 18.7%, and Australia for 9.6%. Together, these three countries represented 69.5% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to ASEAN in value, 2017-2020